Dissecting (CAC)5/(GTG)5 multilocus fingerprints from man into individual locus-specific, hypervariable components

Individual components of multilocus fingerprints from man produced by (CAC)₅/(GTG)₅ oligonucleotides have been scrutinized to characterize their peculiar properties. Successful cloning and changes occurring during the propagation of recombinant simple repetitive DNA in prokaryotic hosts are described. The isolated locus-specific probes were characterized with respect to their formal (and population genetic) properties and their usefulness for individualization and linkage studies. The localization was determined on chromosomes 8, 9, 11, and 22. Repeat flanking sequences were characterized and analyzed for their coding potential because of significant open reading frames and apparent evolutionary conservation among vertebrates. The organization of the repeats and their flanking regions in the human genome is discussed with respect to the sequence (fine) architecture that developed during evolution. Classical “minisatellite” sequences were not detected near hypervariable (cac)_n/(gtg)_n repeats. The singlecopy probes described herein are a convenient complement to the oligonucleotides employed for multilocus fingerprinting. Many practical applications are apparent.